Catherine Zhu is a third-year student at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music studying with Maestro Glenn Riddle. At the age of 14, she received her Associate Diploma in Piano and achieved a Licentiate Diploma in 2021.
In 2024, Catherine was awarded the prestigious Margaret Sutherland Bursary and was a finalist in Melbourne Recital Centre’s Great Romantics Competition. She has performed live-to-air on 3MBS Melbourne 103.5FM numerous times and was placed first in 3MBS’s The Talent Season 1 in 2023. In 2022, she was invited to play for the Kingston City Council and was honoured with the 2022 VMTA Kault Piano Prize.
Catherine has been invited to perform at Tempo Rubato, Graduate House (University of Melbourne), St Paul’s Cathedral and the Lyceum Club. She has been the recipient of the Bachelor of Music Entrance Grant and the Grace Funston, McKay Pianoforte, Pearis Rodger and Katherine Ellis Scholarships awarded by the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Melbourne.
Catherine is passionate about sharing her love for music with others. She has been a teacher since 2019, and her students achieve high marks in exams, awards and competitions. Catherine values the individuality of each student and dedicates herself to helping them unlock their creative potential.
Haydn—Sonata in B minor, Hob XVI:32
Chaminade—Automne from 6 Études de concert, Op.35
Paganini—La Chasse arr. Schumann
Chopin—Étude Op.25 No.12 “Ocean”
Morel— Étude de Sonorité No.2
Bacewicz—Sonata No.2: III. Toccata
Chopin—Ballade No.1 in G minor, Op.23